The Coliseum
A historic memorial stadium, home of the USC Trojans and former home of the Los Angeles Rams.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (also known as the Los Angeles Coliseum or L.A. Coliseum) is a multi-purpose stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. The Coliseum was commissioned in 1921 and completed in 1923 as a memorial to Los Angeles veterans of World War I. The stadium currently serves as the home of the University of Southern California Trojans football team, and is located directly adjacent to the school's main University Park campus. For most of its history the Coliseum was among the largest stadiums in the United States, seating over 100,000 for several decades. As of 2016 the facility had a permanent seating capacity of 93,607 for USC football and Rams games, making it the largest football stadium in the Pac-12 Conference and the NFL.
Quick Facts
- First era
- 1946–1979
Lore & Background
The Coliseum was the home of the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1979 and again from 2016 to 2019. It was the site of the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game (later called Super Bowl I) and Super Bowl VII. The stadium has also been the temporary home of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1958 to 1961, and was the host venue for games three, four, and five of the 1959 World Series. Additionally, it has served as a home field for a number of other teams, including the 1960 inaugural season for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL from 1982 to 1994, and UCLA Bruins football.
The Coliseum is jointly owned by the State of California's Sixth District Agricultural Association, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles. It is managed and operated by the University of Southern California (USC). The Coliseum was designated a National Historic Landmark on July 27, 1984, a day before the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics. It will become the first stadium to have hosted the Summer Olympics three times when it hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics, previously hosting in 1932 and 1984.
Reader's Guide
The Coliseum opened in 1923 with a capacity of 75,144. Ahead of the 1932 Olympics the stadium was expanded to 101,574 seats. In 1964, seating capacity was reduced to approximately 93,000. Additional seating increased the Coliseum's seating capacity to 93,607 in September 2008. The field runs east to west with the press box on the south side of the stadium. The signature Olympic cauldron and rings remain above the peristyle at the east end. The current jumbotrons to each side of the peristyle were installed in 2017. A $315 million renovation was completed in time for the 2019 football season, using only university funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Rams play at The Coliseum?
The franchise played here across two separate time periods, starting in 1946 and ending in 1994 before a second stint from 2016 to 2019. These years cover their original tenure and their temporary return prior to building SoFi Stadium.
Do the Rams share this stadium with another team?
Yes, the venue is also the home field for the USC Trojans NCAA football program. This unique partnership allows professional and college games to be hosted within the same historic concrete structure.
What makes The Coliseum significant to the franchise history?
This location is where the club forged its legacy with legendary defenses and iconic quarterbacks during the mid-20th century. It remains a symbol of the team's roots before they eventually returned to Southern California as modern contenders.
Is The Coliseum still in use today?
Although the Rams have moved on, the stadium remains an active historic venue for various events and sports. It continues to stand as a major landmark within Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California.
Why did the Rams leave The Coliseum twice?
They first departed due to financial struggles that led to a relocation to St. Louis, while their second exit was part of a planned transition to SoFi Stadium. Both moves marked major shifts in how the organization operated within the Los Angeles market.
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